Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned through more seismic social change than any monarch in British history. From the Abdication to the Sussexes, from World War II to the loss of her life-long partner, she has witnessed family crises on a scale not seen since the days of George III. A definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the seventieth anniversary of her reign by a renowned royal biographer.
Even the most ardent royalist will now start thinking about republicanism — because how can we allow a system that amounts to cruelty and abuse to continue? ... What’s shockingly clear from Hardman’s account is that the Queen is forever being poked and prodded by her private secretaries and ministers ... For the most part Hardman...covers the same ground as the Netflix series The Crown...and has fun pointing out its anomalies and fabrications ... I relished many of Hardman’s incidental details ... Hardman is also fine on incidental royalty.
While some might wonder if the world really needs another biography of the queen (especially one that runs almost 700 pages), this offering is truly noteworthy. Readers will find political history, social commentary, and fresh observations mixed in with interviews and anecdotes from an array of twentieth- and twenty-first-century luminaries, devotees and detractors alike ... Hardman, an avowed royalist, sorts fact from fiction, covers an amazing amount of territory (coverage extends through the end of 2021), and seeks to mitigate misconceptions arising from recent media creations ... It’s all here: the scandals, the triumphs, the minutiae of court life, and the grandeur of the British Empire, all framed within heartfelt appreciation for a woman who has dedicated her entire life to her country. As long as Queen Elizabeth reigns, consider this to be Her Majesty’s definitive biography
Hardman has drawn on interviews, confidential conversations, official and unofficial biographies, declassified Cabinet papers, and unpublished diaries, all of which give his account authority and heft ... With unwavering admiration, the author portrays Elizabeth as a head of state who exemplifies 'the prudent application of soft power' ... More than his previous books, this one is structured as a detailed chronology, following Elizabeth on diplomatic voyages throughout the world and dutifully reporting on interactions domestic and foreign. He debunks critics and especially delights in exposing fictions perpetrated by The Crown ... A boon for royal-watchers.
